Algies Bay

On Saturday, just a couple of hours before Mama and I arrived back home in Auckland from our big Tongariro Alpine Crossing expedition, Mulan and Miya took off away from Auckland in the opposite direction.

Here's what happened.

Gugu, Gufu and the cousins were heading up north to Algies Bay for several days of camping at Bethshan.  Nainai and Yeye decided to go up for a few days too, staying in one of the motel units at the camping ground.  Mulan and Miya went along with them.

So, when Mama and I arrived home we had another couple of nights alone with no children.  It was very peaceful and quiet, and we missed them.

On Monday morning I drove up to Algies Bay to join them all.  Mama stayed behind at home alone -- she's not so keen on beach-style camping, so had conveniently scheduled work for herself.

I stayed there one night in the motel unit, and then on Tuesday evening Mulan, Miya and I drove back home again.

It was a very relaxing and peaceful couple of days for me.  Bethshan is a small camping ground/motel, and there were very few people around.  Here's a photo from our motel:

The beach is very safe, and the kids did lots of rowing in the free-to-use kayaks and dingies.  The trampolines and swing were also well used.

Mulan and Miya are keen to go back next summer -- and next time take our tent.  We'll see.